PATHFIT-SEMIS

History of Badminton

Badminton traces its roots to battledore and shuttlecock games such as ti jian zi in fifth‑century B.C. China, later becoming popular in England in the 16th century as a children’s game; in India during the 1860s a similar game named poona spread, and the British army brought it back to England in the 1870s. The modern game was named after Badminton House in Gloucestershire, first rules were published by the Bath Badminton Club in 1893, and the All England Open began in 1899. The International Badminton Federation (IBF), now the Badminton World Federation (BWF), was established in 1934. The United States also developed early clubs (e.g., Badminton Club of New York, 1878) and standardization occurred in 1936.

Equipment

Shuttlecock: called “birdie”; made of natural or synthetic materials with a cork base covered in leather and about 14 ext{-}16 feathers around the cork; weight 4.75 ext{-}5.50 ext{ g}; two types: feathered and synthetic.

Racket: parts include the head (stringed), shaft (connects head to handle), throat (if present), and handle; the frame is the head–shaft–handle assembly.

Court and Net: court sizes are 20 ext{ ft} imes 44 ext{ ft} for doubles and 17 ext{ ft} imes 44 ext{ ft} for singles, with service court 6rac{1}{2} ext{ ft} from the net. Net height is 5 ext{ ft} high, with posts at 5 ext{ ft }1 ext{ in}. The net line marks the middle; typically nets and posts may be unavailable, with alternatives like a rope across the area.

Badminton Terminologies

Key terms include: Ace (a point), Side out (loss of service), Love (zero), Fault (rule violation), Birdie (shuttlecock), Let (serve replay), Match (best of 3 games), Cross court, Match point, Rally (strokes sequence until shuttle is out of play), Server/Receiver, Umpire, Odd and Even Courts (server from right/left service courts depending on score), and Game Scoring (to 21, with a 2‑point lead and a cap at 30). Lines in are in; a served bird that touches the net and lands in the proper service court is legal; a bird touching the net during play remains in play.

Badminton Techniques / Skills and Strokes

Forehand Grip

Shake hands with the racket; the racket head is parallel to the floor with the head angled vertically; the V formed by the index finger and thumb rests on top of the handle; grip is relaxed and tightens just before impact to generate power.

Backhand Grip

High Serve (Single Serve)

Use forehand grip; stand side‑on with the non‑racket leg forward; shuttle held above waist; racket ready; contact the shuttle on the racket with a swing that follows through toward the intended direction; transfer weight from the racket leg to the non‑racket leg; keeping the shuttle hand high helps the shuttle travel higher; in singles stand roughly 1 ext{ m} from the service line and serve diagonally; a fault if feet slide or lift during the serve.

Doubles Serve (Back Hand)

Backhand grip is common and often easiest for beginners; stand close to the short service line; racket held against the body below the waist; push the shuttle flat over the net with the strings held level; contact direction determines the shot; maintain a relaxed grip to avoid giving height; one can use either forehand or backhand grip, but backhand is the simplest and most consistent.

Return of Service

In singles stand in the middle of the service area; in doubles position closer to the service line; knees bent and racket up to react quickly.

Positioning for Service

In men’s or ladies’ doubles, the server stands near the service line and the partner stands in the middle to cover the back; in mixed doubles the lady often stands on the service line in front of her partner when he serves; when receiving, partners position in the middle behind the receiver and stay ready to cover the court. Knees must be bent and ready to move.

Overhead Shots (Clear, Drop, Smash)

Overhead shots include Clear (defensive/attacking to back of court), Drop Shot (shorten the shuttle’s landing near the net), and Smash (powerful downward shot). The preparation is similar: side‑on stance, elbow high, hip forward, contact in front of the head, and a snap of the forearm/wrist at contact; follow through in the intended direction.

Net Shots

Aim to keep the shuttle as close to the net as possible; racket level with the net, elbow relaxed, use fingers and wrist (not the arm) to slice under the shuttle; backhand net shots use a similar action with a grip change. Footwork involves racing the net with a forward move, then a lunge; practice corner to corner for timing.

Net Lift

Hit the shuttle early with a small swing to land in the tramlines at the back of the court; weight transfer from the rear to the front foot; mainly use the forearm with a short follow‑through; avoid crowding the shuttle to maintain power.

Defense: Block

Backhand grip with the racket head angled to the net; face the net with shoulders and feet square; the goal is to block the smash just over the net onto the short service line; keep the grip relaxed and use a small wrist/hand motion rather than a big arm movement. For back of court defense, bend knees, push off from the non‑hitting leg, lead with the elbow and flick the wrist; shots are short and fast.

Drives

A straight, hard flat shot from half court; contact point near net height; keep forearm only (no full arm swing) and a loose grip; aim to drive straight back and forth, progressing to forehand and backhand sides.

Footwork

Stance

Base position enables quick movement in any direction; stand facing the net, feet shoulder‑width apart, racket foot slightly forward, heels off ground, knees bent, trunk leaning forward, racket in front and parallel to the floor.

Movements

For beginners, focus on returning to base and correct stance; front‑court moves use a chasse step to the net followed by a lunge with the hitting foot; when moving to the back, rotate with the feet to return to the base; ensure the knee stays aligned with the big toe during lunges to prevent knee injuries.

Rules / Scoring

Serving

Server must keep both feet on the floor; bird contact below the waist; racket head below the server's wrist; server should not serve until the receiver is ready; partners may stand anywhere so as not to obstruct view; a let occurs if the bird touches the net on the serve and lands in the proper service court. If the server misses on a serve, the serve is lost. In singles and doubles the serve goes to the opponent if the rally is lost.

Serving Order – Singles

When the server’s score is even, serves from the right service court; when odd, from the left. The rally winner becomes server and scores a point.

Serving Order – Doubles

There is one server; at the start and when the score is EVEN, the server serves from the RIGHT COURT; when ODD, from the LEFT COURT. If the serving side wins a rally, the same person serves from the alternate court; if the receiving side wins a rally, they become the new serving side.

Game / Match Scoring

A match is best of 3 games of 21 points; a rally adds a point to the winner’s score; at 20-20 the first side to lead by 2 points wins the game; at 29-29 the side scoring the 30^{th} point wins the game; the side winning a game serves first in the next game. Birds landing on lines are in; a bird touching the net during play remains in play. Faults include serving above the waist with the racket head, serving into the wrong service court, improper positioning, receiving the bird incorrectly, touching the net, and other rule violations.

History of Badminton

Badminton traces its roots to battledore and shuttlecock games such as ti jian zi in fifth‑century B.C. China, later becoming popular in England in the 16th century as a children’s game; in India during the 1860s a similar game named poona spread among British army officers, who then brought it back to England in the 1870s, where it evolved into the modern sport. The game was formally named after Badminton House in Gloucestershire, where it was first played with established rules. The first rules were published by the Bath Badminton Club in 1893, and the All England Open, one of the sport's most prestigious tournaments, began in 1899. The International Badminton Federation (IBF), now the Badminton World Federation (BWF), was established in 1934 to govern the sport globally. The United States also developed early clubs (e.g., Badminton Club of New York, 1878) and standardization of rules occurred in 1936.

Equipment

Shuttlecock: also called “birdie”; made of natural (goose feathers) or synthetic (nylon/plastic) materials, featuring a cork base covered in leather and about 14 ext{-}16 feathers around the cork; weight 4.75 ext{-}5.50 ext{ g}. There are two types:

Feathered shuttlecocks: generally used in professional play due to better flight characteristics, precision, and feel, but are less durable.
Synthetic shuttlecocks: more durable and cost-effective, ideal for training and recreational play, with more consistent flight over time.
Racket: parts include the head (stringed area), shaft (connects head to handle), throat (if present, strengthens the connection), and handle; the frame is the integral head–shaft–handle assembly, typically made from carbon fiber composites for lightness and strength.
Court and Net: court sizes are 20 ext{ ft} imes 44 ext{ ft} for doubles and 17 ext{ ft} imes 44 ext{ ft} for singles, with the short service line 6\frac{1}{2} ext{ ft} from the net. Net height is 5 ext{ ft} high at the center, with posts at 5 ext{ ft }1 ext{ in} at the sides. The net line marks the middle of the court; typically nets and posts may be unavailable, with alternatives like a rope across the area being used in informal settings.

Badminton Terminologies

Key terms include:

Ace: A point scored when the opponent is unable to return a legally served shuttlecock.
Side out: The loss of service, meaning the serving side no longer has the right to serve.
Love: A term meaning zero points in scoring.
Fault: A violation of the rules, resulting in a point for the opponent or loss of service. Examples include: hitting the shuttle out of bounds, shuttle passing through or under the net, touching the net with the racket or body, serving illegally (above waist or racket head above wrist), or hitting the shuttle twice.
Birdie: Another name for the shuttlecock.
Let: A legitimate cessation of play, requiring the rally to be replayed without any score change (e.g., if the shuttle touches the net on a serve but lands in bounds, or due to an external disturbance).
Match: The best of 3 games.
Cross court: A shot hit diagonally over the net from one side of the court to the other.
Match point: The point that, if won by the leading player or side, ends the match.
Rally: A sequence of strokes exchanged between players until the shuttlecock is out of play.
Server/Receiver: The player initiating the serve and the player returning it, respectively.
Umpire: The official in charge of overseeing the match and enforcing rules.
Odd and Even Courts: The server serves from the right service court when their score is even, and from the left service court when their score is odd.
Game Scoring: To 21 points, with a 2‑point lead required to win; a cap at 30 points means the first side to reach 30 wins if the score is stuck at 29-29. Lines in are in; a served bird that touches the net and lands in the proper service court is legal; a bird touching the net during play remains in play.

Badminton Techniques / Skills and Strokes

Forehand Grip

Shake hands with the racket; the racket head is parallel to the floor with the head angled vertically; the V formed by the index finger and thumb rests on top of the handle. This grip is primarily used for powerful clear, smash, and drop shots on the forehand side. The grip is relaxed and tightens just before impact to generate power.

Backhand Grip

Thumb rests on the flat part of the handle (you should see the strings); grip is loose to allow guide‑through power; the racket is held in the fingers, not the palm; control comes from fingers and thumb. This grip is crucial for effective backhand clears, drops, and net shots, offering better leverage and control for shots on the backhand side.

High Serve (Single Serve)

Use forehand grip; stand side‑on with the non‑racket leg forward; shuttle held above waist level; racket ready in a backswing position; contact the shuttle on the racket with a smooth swing that follows through toward the intended direction. The primary purpose is to send the shuttle high and deep to the opponent's backcourt, pushing them away from the net and creating attacking opportunities. Transfer weight from the racket leg to the non‑racket leg; keeping the shuttle hand high helps the shuttle travel higher; in singles stand roughly 1 ext{ m} from the service line and serve diagonally; a fault if feet slide or lift during the serve.

Doubles Serve (Back Hand)

Backhand grip is common and often easiest for beginners for this serve; stand close to the short service line; racket held against the body below the waist; push the shuttle flat over the net with the strings held level. The objective is to keep the shuttle low and flat, just clearing the net, to prevent the opponent from attacking. Contact direction determines the shot; maintain a relaxed grip to avoid giving height; one can use either forehand or backhand grip, but backhand is often the simplest and most consistent for a low serve.

Return of Service

In singles stand in the middle of the service area to cover all possible serves effectively; in doubles position closer to the service line to intercept low serves. Knees bent and racket up, ready to react quickly to the incoming serve and make an immediate counter-attack if possible.

Positioning for Service

In men’s or ladies’ doubles, the server stands near the service line and the partner stands in the middle to cover the back of the court; in mixed doubles the lady often stands on the service line in front of her partner when he serves to cover the net, while the partner covers the back. When receiving, partners position in the middle behind the receiver and stay ready to cover the court. Knees must be bent and ready to move instantly.

Overhead Shots (Clear, Drop, Smash)

Overhead shots include Clear (a high and deep defensive or attacking shot to the back of the court), Drop Shot (a soft shot that shortens the shuttle’s landing near the net, used for deception), and Smash (a powerful downward shot aimed to win the rally directly). The preparation is similar for all three: side‑on stance with non-racket shoulder pointing at the net, elbow high, hip forward, contact the shuttle in front of the head at the highest point, and a snap of the forearm/wrist at contact; follow through in the intended direction. Each shot targets different areas of the court for strategic advantage.

Net Shots

Aim to keep the shuttle as close to the net as possible, making it difficult for the opponent to return it with an upward trajectory. Racket level with the net, elbow relaxed, use fingers and wrist (not the arm) to slice under the shuttle for delicate touch. Backhand net shots use a similar action with a grip change. Footwork involves racing the net with a forward move, then a lunge; practice corner to corner for timing and control, ensuring soft hands to guide the shuttle gently over.

Net Lift

Hit the shuttle early with a small swing from below the net to send it high and deep, allowing time to recover position. The goal is for the shuttle to land in the tramlines at the back of the court. Weight transfer from the rear to the front foot; mainly use the forearm with a short follow‑through; avoid crowding the shuttle to maintain power and reach the desired depth.

Defense: Block

Backhand grip with the racket head angled to the net; face the net with shoulders and feet square. The goal is to block the opponent's smash just over the net onto the short service line, denying a follow-up attack. Keep the grip relaxed and use a small wrist/hand motion rather than a big arm movement for soft touch. For back of court defense, bend knees, push off from the non‑hitting leg, lead with the elbow and flick the wrist; shots are short and fast.

Drives

A straight, hard flat shot from half court, hit parallel to the floor, often used to keep the shuttle low and fast to gain an offensive advantage. Contact point ideally near net height; keep forearm only (no full arm swing) and a loose grip; aim to drive straight back and forth across the net, progressing to forehand and backhand sides. Drives are excellent for quick exchanges and preventing opponents from hitting downward.

Footwork

Stance

Movements

For beginners, focus on returning to base position and correct stance after every shot. Front‑court moves use a chasse step (slide step) to the net followed by a lunge with the hitting foot to reach the shuttle. When moving to the back, rotate with the feet to return to the base; ensure the knee stays aligned with the big toe during lunges to prevent knee injuries and maintain balance.

Rules / Scoring

Serving

Server must keep both feet on the floor within the service court; bird contact below the waist; racket head must be clearly below the server's wrist at the moment of contact; server should not serve until the receiver is ready; partners may stand anywhere so as not to obstruct view of the receiver. A let occurs if the bird touches the net on the serve and lands in the proper service court, resulting in a replay. If the server misses on a serve (e.g., hits the shuttle out or misses it entirely), the serve is lost. In singles and doubles the serve goes to the opponent if the rally is lost by the serving side.

Serving Order – Singles

When the server’s score is even, they serve from the right service court; when odd, from the left. The rally winner becomes server for the next point and scores a point.

Serving Order – Doubles

There is one server per side for a given service turn. At the start of the game and when the serving side’s score is EVEN, the server serves from the RIGHT COURT; when ODD, from the LEFT COURT. If the serving side wins a rally, the same person continues to serve, but from the alternate court. If the receiving side wins a rally, they become the new serving side, and the service passes to the player due to serve from the correct court based on their new score.

Game / Match Scoring

A match is best of 3 games of 21 points; a rally adds a point to the winner’s score. At 20-20 points, the first side to lead by 2 points wins the game (e.g., 22-20). At 29-29 the side scoring the 30^{th} point wins the game, acting as a cap. The side winning a game serves first in the next game. Birds landing on lines are considered in; a bird touching the net during